Astatic brush for grooming the hair



Patented Jan. 12,

ASTATIC BRUSH FOR GROOMING THE HAIR Simon A. Simon, Longmeadow, and Arthur H. Drelich, Springfield, Mass, assignors, by nesne assignments, to Chicopee Manufacturing Corporation, Chicopee Fall of Massachusetts 5, Mass, a corporation No Drawing. Application June 4, 1949, Serial No. 97,302

Dielectric materials, particularly plastics, generate electrostatic charges when rubbed with various other dielectric materials, including hair, clothing, fur, etc. This causes the hair to stand out or separate when 'it is groomed with a comb .or brush made of such plastics, and even produces uncomfortable shocks. Generation of static is reduced or eliminated by dipping the hairbrush or comb in a dilute dispersion of particular chemical substances (identified herein) and'then' drying.

It has long been known thatvarious ma a which are classed non-conductors of electricity and calleddielectrics have. the inherentprop r y of generating static charges of electricity when rubbed with various other dielectric materials. Such electrostatic generating materials are extremely numerous. They include wool, fur, hair, bristles, dried varnish, and most of the members of that large class of materials popularly known as plastics. It is common knowledge that articles made of these materials in everyday use develop electrostatic charges, probably as a result of unavoidable friction, and that these electrostatic charges have many undesirable results which include the production of uncomfortable shocks and dangerous sparks, standing out of hair upon brushing, and extraordinary attraction and retention of dust.

As used herein, the term astatic denotes absence of the property or ability to generate, induce or accumulate objectionable electrostatic charges, and the term antistatic pertains to reducing or eliminating the property or ability to generate, induce or accumulate electrostatic charges. :produce an astat'ic result.

' As used herein, the term plastic has a meaning more restricted than the indefinite sense in which it is popularly'used. As used herein, plastic designates a non-cellulosic high polymer (usually but not necessarily organic) of synthetic origin (as opposed to beingfound innature') :and either molded into a. .'solid or capable of being so molded. This definition includes, for example,

v3.5 That is, an antistatic agent tends to saran and other vinyl resins; methacrylate resins; polystyrene; polyethylene; .nylon; polytetra-fiuoro-ethylene and others.

Instruments for grooming the hair including hair-brushes and combs normally are made of or contain dielectric, materials such as plastics and bristles. Bristles may be either natural hog bristles or filaments of nylon or other plastic. Rubbing these materials against the hair gencrates objectionable electrostatic charges.

.4 (llaims. (01.15-159) It has been proposed to render various material astatic by coating with antistatic agents" or possibly chemically combining antistatic agents with dielectric materials. However, in the instances which have .come to our attention, the proposed treatments have not been completely successful for one or a number of reasons. [For example, some materials such as saran and polytetra-fiuoro-ethylene are so smooth and so chemically inert that it has been regarded as impossible to cause any materials either to combine with them or adhere to them. Some proposed antistatic coatings for other materials so change theproperties of the material or its surface as to make it undesirable for other reasons, although it' might have astatic properties. ,Also, although materials are known which .for a time impart some degree .of astatic character to some dielectrics, such astatic properties are not sufiiciently lasting to be satisfactory, for example, either because the antistatic materials readily wash off or are otherwise removed in normal use, or be cause the astatic property rapidly diminishes and disap ears. Other proposed antistatic agents are hygroscopic and undesirably attract Water to the surfaces to which they are applied, and this prevents their being useful in many instances.

We have discovered that the materials in a certain group or class. Which we designate by the coined word etymols, have antistatic properties, and that they combine with various dielectric materials (not necessarily in the chemical sense) or adhere to such dielectrics, particularly those plastics which are the subject of this invention, and when so combined. or adhered render the dielectrics ,astatic.

The ,etymols are defined as long chain ,fatty acid. partial esters (including the poly-oxy-alkylene ethers of such esters) of the following:

A. thosealiphatic poly-hydroxy alcohols having from two to .six carbon atoms and from two tosix hydroxyl groups; I

B. monomeric cyclic ethers of such poly-hydroxy alcohols;

C. polymericethers having at least two hydroxyl groups and which may be considered condensation products of such poly-hydroxy alcohols.

The etymols include, for example, the following materials arranged as sub-groups of A, B, and C above:

b. long chain fatty acid partial esters of the hexitans (that is esters of monomeric cyclic ethers of hexitol) and hydroXy-poly-alkylene ethers thereof such as sorbitan mono-laurate, and sorbitan mono-laurate poly-oxy-ethylene ether,

polyethylene glycol esters, such as polyethylene glycol mono-stearate, mono-oleate, etc., and the polyethylene-glycol ether of polypropylene-glycol mono-stearate.

; We have discovered that the etymols are particularly efiective in imparting astatic properties to plastics, that the etymols surprisingly combine with or adhere to various inert and smooth or slippery plastics (for example saran and polyethylene) and together with such materials form astatic articles or substances. We have also discovered that certain of these etymols, although readily dispersible in water, nevertheless when placed upon certain plastics impart a durable astatic character thereto, which resists scrubbing and washing.

Based on these discoveries, it is an object of our invention to render astatic normally electrostatic plastics and thus to provide materials with desirable mechanical and physical properties for many uses for which they were formerly unsuitable because of undesirable electrostatic properties.

Also based on these discoveries it is an object of our invention to provide an improved instrument for grooming the hair which will not generate electrostatic charges in use.

Our invention can be applied to hairbrushes, combs and the like of any known or suitable construction where such brushes and combs include dielectric material, such as natural bristles, nylon bristles, saran bristles, methacrylate resin backs, etc. In carrying out our invention, we dip, brush or spray the instrument with a dilute dispersion or solution of a suitable etymol in a volatile carrier such as water, alcohol, or carbon tetra-chloride and then dry. We prefer the water dispersion. We have found surprisingly that the etymols adhere to, combine with (not necessarily in the chemical sense) or otherwise cooperate even with inert plastics such as saran to provide a durable astatic combination. This combination resists both dry abrasion (incident to use) and with some etymols, repeated scrubbing with a stiff bristle brush and water or soap solution (incident to cleaning). These results and these properties are contrary to what is to be expected from the individual properties of the plastic and the etymols. Thus saran is known for its very smooth surface and high degree of chemical inertness. Consequently heretofore it has been considered impossible to combine anything with saran or to make anything adhere to it. Also while many of the etymols are regarded as insoluble in water, they are readily dispersible. Consequently it is contrary to the known properties both of the plastics and the etymols that they form a combination and that this combination resists separation by active scrubbing.

Moreover very small quantities of the etymols produce an astatic combination with the plastics, even with saran. We have found that a concentration of of sorbitan mono-laurate, for example, in the treating dispersion produces a noticeable astatic effect, and that the saran can berendered completely astatic by concentrations of less than 1%. The tabulation below shows the range of concentrations of a water dispersion of sorbitan mono-laurate which we have found eifective to render the saran astatic. A closely woven fabric of saran monofilaments was dipped in dispersions of the concentrations indicated, and after drying was rubbed briskly with a woolen cloth. The saran was then brought near a sensitive electroscope.

In the tabulation below the numerical values of needle deflection are approximately proportional to the voltage induced on a very sensitive deflecting needle electroscope. The deflection 5 represents the highest induced voltage which we have found to be permissible. That is a piece of saran cloth, charged to a voltage of 5 as shown by this electroscope, will discharge so as to produce a noticeable shock to a person connected with it. A deflection of greater than 5 indicates that the shock will be uncomfortable and objectionable. A deflection of less than 5 will not produce noticeable or objectionable shock.

Needle Percent Concentration of Antistatic Dispersion Deflection As will be seen from the tabulation a dispersion of markedly reduces the charge that can be induced on the plastic, and may be said to represent the minimum operative concentration of the particular etymol sorbitan monolaurate when used with saran, while a concentration of reduces the charge to a value well within the acceptable range and. /z% eliminates static completely.

We do not known the exact nature of the resulting plastic treated with the etymols. Apparently evaporation of the carrier from dispersions of low concentration does not leave a simple film or coating which can be identified and described as such. And as yet we have no positive evidence that there is any chemical combination between the plastic and etymol. The only way we can define the treated combination of plastic and an etymol is to say that this combination has electrostatic properties substantially identical with the plastic which has been covered with a dispersion of the etymol.

As indicated by the tabulation, concentrations of sorbitan mono-laurate greater than /g% satisfactorily eliminate static, but we have found that concentrations above about 2% give the saran fabric an objectionable feel. Therefore, we use concentrations within the range V to 2% and prefer to use between and 1%.

Example I A hairbrush having a methacrylate resin back and nylon bristles when used to brush the hair, dry, and under given conditions causes the hair to stand out objectionably. The brush is dipped in a /4% dispersion in water of sorbitan monolaurate and dried. Thereafter brushing the same hair under the same conditions produces no observable static and no objectionable standing out.

Example II A hairbrush having a lacquered wood back and natural bristles when used to brush the hair, dry, and under given conditions causes the hair to stand out objectionably. The brush is dipped n a 41% disp rsa in Wet r so bitan 1 .29 9- pu e and qrie Th ea e b ushin t sam a r under t e same .cqnd t sms produces I qb abl static and n ehi e i nabl s i e ou Th class of et mol in ludes a l r e n m e of subs a hit e lose e ated in th ical structure and antistatic properties. For example, the aliphatic poly-hydroxy alcohols -fromWhieh he Pa tia esters a d ethers th r o can be derived include ethylene glycol; diand tri-ethylene glycol; glycerol and: polyglycerols, pentaerythritol; 'pentitols; hexitols and the monomeric cyclic ethers thereof; cyclitols such as inesitgl; oligosaccarides such as glucose, sucrose and qs th ycol an lcwer p lyslycol ethers of the above named poly-hydroxy alcohols. The esters of the mixed monomeric cyclic ethers of the hexitols (such as sorbitans and sorbides, mannitans and mannides) and the poly-oxyalkylene ethers thereof are suitable etymols. The hydroxy-polyeoxyrethylene, ethers of these esters can be prepared by reacting the partial ester with a preformed polyethylene glycol or with 10 to mols of ethylene oxide. are known in the literature and are named, for example, reaction products of sorbitan monolaurate with 20 mols ethylene oxide, or more simply sorbitan mono-laurate poly-oxy-ethylene ether? Specific etymols which we have found suitable antistatics are:

Diethylene glycol mono-laurate Diethylene glycol mono-stearate Ethylene glycol mono-laurate Ethylene glycol mono-myristate Ethylene glycol mono-ricinoleate Glyceryl mono-laurate Glyceryl mono-myristate Glyceryl mono-oleate Glyceryl mono-ricinoleate Mannitan di-laurate poly-oxy-ethylene ether Mannitan mono-oleate Mannitan mono-oleate poly-oxy-ethylene ether Mono-penta-erythritol ester of soy oil fatty acids Penta-erythritol mono-oleate Penta-erythritol mono-stearate Polyethylene glycol mono-laurate Polyethylene glycol mono-myristate Polyethylene glycol mono-oleate Polyethylene glycol mono-ricinoleate Polyethylene glycol mono-stearate Poly-oxy-ethylene propylene glycol mono-stearate Propylene glycol mono-myristate Propylene glycol mono-oleate Propylene glycol mono-stearate Propylene glycol mono-ricinoleate sorbitan mono-laurate sorbitan mono-laurate poly-oxy-ethylene ether sorbitan mono-naphthenate Sorbitan mono-oleate Sorbitan mono-cleate poly-oxy-ethylene ether Sorbitan mono-palmitate sorbitan mono palmitate poly oxy ethylene ether Sorbitan mono-stearate Sorbitan mono-stearate poly-oxy-ethylene ether sorbitan tri-oleate sorbitan tri-oleate poly-oxy-ethylene ether While the etymols generally impart astatic qualities to the plastics, there are measurable diilerences in the intensity and durability under various conditions of these qualities which have been eifected by the various specific etymols.

Such reaction products gesture For example, the degree of reduction of static for a given concentration of applied dispersion varies from etymol to etymol. Thus the concentration of theetymol dispersion originallyapplied varies. Also a large number of etymols originally impart a satisfactory or equal degree of astatic property to the-plastic, but there are variations in the life of the astatic property in use (resistance to friction) and in the resistance of the astatic property to cleaning or scrubbing. There is also a variation from etymol to etymol of the astatic properties of the plastic at low temperature such as 20 F;

However, the nature, extent and durability of the astatic property achieved by any specific-etymp1 appears to be independent of the plastic to which the etymol is applied, at least as far as can be detected, in ordinary conditions of use. Thus sorbitan mono-laurate applied at a given concentration of dispersion for example, appears to impart substantially equal astatic properties tosaran, polyethylene, various vinyl resins, methacrylate resins, ny1on,.poly tetra-fluoro-ethylene,. etc.

Of the etymols named, we prefer glycer-yl mono-oleate because of its ready availability and easy application, and because it gives satisfactory astatic properties even at low temperatures which have long shelf life and are resistant to friction, and to washing. Other particularly elfective etymols are poly-oxy-ethylene propylene glycol mono-stearate, glyceryl mono-ricinoleate, poly-- ethylene glycol mono-oleate, sorbitan mono-- laurate, sorbitan mono-stearate poly-oxy-ethylone other and sorbitan tri-oleate and poly-oxyethylene ether, pentaerythritol mono-oleate.

Also, we may use blends or mixtures of the etymols to combine the good properties of several. Thus we may combine for example, an etymol giving particularly good astatic properties at loW temperature with one having exceptional resistance to washing to obtain an antistatic agent having both properties.

It will be understood that our invention is not limited to the illustrations of the foregoing explanation, but includes what is defined within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. A hair brush comprising in combination plastic bristles which have been covered with a dilute dispersion of a compound selected from the group consisting of long chain fatty acid partial esters and poly-oxy-alkylene ethers of long chain fatty acid partial esters of a compound selected from the group consisting of aliphatic polyhydroxy alcohols having from two to six carbon atoms and from two to six hydroxyl groups, monomeric cyclic ethers of aliphatic polyhydroxy alcohols having from two to six carbon atoms and from two to six hydroxyl groups, and polymeric ethers having at least two hydroxyl groups which are condensation products of aliphatic poly-hydroxy alcohols having from two to six carbon atoms and from two to six hydroxyl groups in a volatile carrier and dried.

2. A hair brush comprising in combination natural bristles which have been covered with a dilute dispersion of a compound selected from the group consisting of long chain fatty acid partial esters and poly-oxy-alkylene ethers of long chain fatty acid partial esters of a compound selected from the group consisting of aliphatic poly-hydroxy alcohols having from two to six carbon atoms and from two to six hydroxyl groups, monomeric cyclic ethers of aliphatic poly-hydrox'y alcohols having from two to six carbon atoms and from two to six hydroxyl groups, and polymeric ethers having at least two hydroxyl groups which are condensation products of aliphatic poly-hydroxy alcohols having from two to six carbon atoms and from two to six hydroxyl groups in a volatile carrier and dried.

3. A hair brush comprising in combination a plastic normally dielectric back and bristles protruding from the back, said brush having been covered with a dilute dispersion of a compound selected from the group consisting of long chain fatty acid partial esters and poly-oxy-alkylene ethers of long chain fatty acid partial esters of a compound selected from the group consisting of aliphatic poly-hydroxy alcohols having from two to six carbon atoms and from two to six hydroxyl groups, monomeric cyclic ethers of aliphatic polyhydroxy alcohols having from two to six carbon atoms and from two to six hydroxyl groups, and polymeric ethers having at least two hydroxyl groups which are condensation products of aliphatic poly-hydroxy alcohols having from two to six carbon atoms and from two to six hydroxyl groups in a volatile carrier and dried.

4. A hair brush comprising in combination a plastic normally dielectric back and bristles protruding from the back, said brush having been dried after being covered with dispersion of a compound selected from the group consisting of long chain fatty acid partial esters and poly-oxyalkylene ethers of long chain fatty acid partial esters of a compound selected from the group consisting of aliphatic poly-hydroxy alcohols having from two to six carbon atoms and from two to six hydroxyl groups, monomeric cyclic ethers of aliphatic poly-hydroxy alcohols having from two to six carbon atoms and from two to six hydroxyl groups, and polymeric ethers having at least two hydroxyl groups which are condensation products of aliphatic poly-hydroxy alcohols having from two to six carbon atoms and from two to six hydroxyl groups in a volatile carrier containing between about and about 1% of the said compound.

SIMON A. SIMON.

ARTHUR H. DRELICH.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,041,213 Schellenger May 19, 1936 2,266,561 Marick Dec. 16, 1941 2,287,766 Davis June 30, 1042 2,290,880 Katzman July 28, 1942 2,297,135 Davis Sept. 29, 1942 2,311,818 Dawson Feb. 23, 1943 2,359,750 Collins Oct. 10, 1944 2,390,437 Hayes Dec. 4, 1945 2,393,863 Myers Jan. 29, 1946 2,397,471 Cox Apr. 2, 1946 2,418,752 Brown Apr. 8, 1947 2,426,315 Marick Aug. 26, 1947 2,441,945 Frolich May 25, 1948 2,461,043 Eisen Feb. 8, 1949 

1. A HAIR BRUSH COMPRISING IN COMBINATION PLASTIC BRISTLES WHICH HAVE BEEN COVERED WITH A DILUTE DISPERSION OF COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF LONG CHAIN FATTY ACID PARTIAL ESTERS AND POLY-OXY-ALKYLENE ETHERS OF LONG CHAIN FATTY ACID PARTIAL ESTERS OF A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ALIPHATIC POLYHYDROXY ALCOHOLS HAVING FROM TWO TO SIX CARBON ATOMS AND FROM TWO TO SIX HYDROXYL GROUPS, MONOMERIC CYCLIC ETHERS OF ALIPHATIC POLYHYDROXY ALCOHOLS HAVING FROM TWO TO SIX CARBON ATOMS AND FROM TWO SIX HYDROXYL GROUPS, AND POLYMERIC ETHERS HAVING AT LEAST TWO HYDROXYL GROUPS WHICH ARE CONDENSATION PRODUCTS OF ALIPHATIC POLY-HYDROXY ALCOHOLS HAVING FROM TWO TO SIX CARBON ATOMS AND FROM TWO TO SIX HYDROXYL GROUPS IN A VOLATILE CARRIER AND DRIED. 